Football Uniform Grades.

Written Friday August 4th at 10:00 PM

Updated Saturday August 26th at 8:40 AM

Media Day is now in the books for the season. Now comes the football uniform grades, some I like while some not so much.

Red

Clarkston (Uniform Provider-Nike): No changes to the uniforms. I really like the Wolves uniforms. The road uniforms are all white with blue numbering to go along with white pants with blue stripes on the sides. The blue Michigan helmet makes this look one of the best around the league. The home uniforms are solid as well with the all blue look even though I’m not a huge fan of the white trim on them. The all white look looks very good, wish they would bring back the name plates. They should never go back to gold pants ever again, the record proves it. GRADE A.

Lake Orion (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Dragons went back old school with the football uniforms last season. The all green and all white with the green V-Neck look is classic Lake Orion. There are no stripes or no LO V-neck collar, just a simple classic look with names on the back. The only down side is the road uniforms say DRAGONS as well and not LAKE ORION. The pants have the classic stripes on the sides with the Dragons logo and the green helmet makes it a perfect uniform. Finally a jersey that Coach Chris Bell got right and it’s me approved. GRADE A.

Adams (Uniform Provider-Adidas): The Highlanders have a yellow helmet with the Adams A on one side and the player number on the other side. There was talk about putting the script Adams on them which I questioned why they would do that. The home yellow is okay but not great, it is an upgrade over the brown jerseys and white pants look and or the brown and yellow look. The road whites are different with the brown and yellow stripes on the elbows. I’m not a fan of these jerseys. GRADE C.

West Bloomfield (Uniform Provider-Home/Road/Alt-Nike, Third jersey-Russell Athletic): The Lakers haven’t changed much with their uniforms. The white pants are classic along with the green and white uniforms. The all white look looks like the clone troopers from the Star Wars series. The all black uniforms look solid as well. The military uniforms also look great as well. The helmet needs a paint job. Green helmet would be much better and smoother. GRADE A-

Stoney Creek (Uniform Provider- Home/Road-Under Armor, Alternate-Zenith): I really like the Cougars uniforms. They have name plates on the back and they can wear any pants whether gold, blue, or white. The helmet needs a redesign a little bit. I’m a fan of the gold helmet but not the design with the SC on one side and the player number on the other side. The Armor Up on the V-Neck looks very good. The traditions are great. I didn’t mention their American pride uniforms but they look very good as well. The third jersey is the all gold. I really like that jersey as well. Overall great uniform designs. GRADE A.

Oxford (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Wildcats have a classic simple uniform whether it’s the home blue or road white uniforms. They went with a yellow helmet which is different from past tradition when they wore blue helmets. The new design with the small wildcat with the OHS on top of the sides along with the white stripe doesn't look right. The simple plain uniform looks very nice especially with yellow or blue pants. Oxford should NEVER wear white pants under any circumstance. White pants have been bad luck in the past. GRADE B.

 

 

White

Harper Woods (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Pioneers have an interesting uniform combination. They have three helmets and a very good uniform design. I like the black and maroon helmet much better than their white helmets. The uniform top looks great whether if it’s maroon, black, or white jerseys and pants. The black or maroon helmets make the uniform look very strong but the white helmet,well not so much. GRADE B.

Southfield Arts and Tech (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Warriors finally got out of the Adidas looks and went to Nike last season. The all blue uniforms with red helmet looked very good along with the all white with red helmet as well but I’m not a fan of the Warriors name on the back of the road uniforms. They look so much better in the Nike uniforms and also red helmets which has the Warriors logo on both sides which is great. White is not a good look for the helmet. Great uniform and pants. GRADE A-.

Groves (Uniform Provider-Nike, Alternate-Zenith): The Falcons have a great home uniform but a subpar road uniform. The green helmet is great with the old classic Atlanta Falcons bird on both sides of the helmet. The home green, gold, and black look is a great look for the Falcons. The road white uniforms look odd especially the lettering in gold. It’s not like two years ago with that look, now that was a great look, the current look not so much. The alternate uniforms look good, the yellow jerseys look solid with the Falcons wings on the top of the jerseys. The greens look fine, the white needs a ton of work. GRADE C.

Rochester (Uniform Provider-Under Armor): The Falcons finally went back to tradition and no gimmicks. Rochester has an all blue uniform with a blue helmet and a road white look with a blue helmet. They have an alternate black look for a game if it’s a big one. I like that they finally figured out the uniform design and not go all Oregon like they did a few years ago which was the definition of fashion disaster. GRADE A.

Bloomfield Hills (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Blackhawks went back to black helmets which made the most sense and brought a black uniform with purple lettering. I like this uniform a lot. The white uniforms look too plain. The home black looks good, the white needs to bring back the opposite elbows. GRADE B.

Farmington (Uniform Provider-Nike): This is not the best design when it comes to uniforms. I don’t like the helmet being white but the Falcon wings make up for it. The all blue look looks very good but the helmet doesn’t click. If there is a team that could go back to a classic look like they did with the Penn State look then Farmington might have a great shot to do so. GRADE B.

 

 

Blue

North Farmington (Uniform Provider-Adidas): The Raiders are going with three jerseys. The Adidas logo scares me but Coach Jon Herstein loved the new look especially the black with the brown trim and the same with the white with brown trim. They finally got out of the white helmets. The all white look with the gold helmet would look great along with the all black and golds as well. Great look, not a fan of the provider. GRADE B.

Seaholm (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Maples went back to Maple helmets and went with an all Maple look at home and all white on the road. I think its okay but it’s not like the uniforms from three years ago. I wished the Maple helmet were with the old uniforms of the past. It’s an okay look but the jerseys are too plain but if they bring back the opposite elbows then yippie. GRADE B.

Troy (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Colts finally got Nike uniforms and they look as sharp as ever. The home black has the COLTS name while the road white has TROY. I wish they would put name plates on the back of the road uniforms but they got the all black and the all white look finally nailed down. GRADE A.

Troy Athens (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Red Hawks classic uniform design I really like with the gold helmet, red jersey, and gold pants. It’s the traditional look and the ATHENS crest looks sharp. The all white on the road looks very strong as well. I would like for Coach Tom Cook to at least put a Red Hawk on the helmet and not an A. They took the name plates off which was very sad. I like the Nike uniforms they wear. GRADE A.

Oak Park (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Knights changed uniforms last season. I really like the home red uniforms with the name OAK PARK on the crest with white pants with the Knights logo. The all white look looks great with the black helmets however the rumor on the street is that the Knights are going to white helmets. Overall I like the uniform design looks good but if they change to white helmets that’s a bit of a concern. GRADE B.

 

 

Gold

Berkley (Uniform Provider-Nike): Berkley went back to the old tradition but something a bit different. They will have maroon helmets with the same design which is fine but they are bringing back the blue uniforms which looks great and white pants on both home and road. Overall I’m going to miss the all maroon look but the old school and the all white on the road looks great anyway. GRADE A.

Royal Oak (Uniform Provider-???): The Ravens kept their uniforms from last season. The home black jerseys have the Ravens name in white with blue numbering. The elbows are much better with the blue, white, blue stripes. The road ones are the same design. They have a black helmet to go with it. I forgot the provider but they look fine. GRADE A.

Ferndale (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Eagles kept the same look with the all brown look. They still have an all yellow look and an all white look as well. The helmet is dark brown which I really like a lot. This is a great uniform that can make the colors work to their advantage. GRADE A.

Pontiac (Uniform Provider-Home/Third jerseys Russell Athletic, Road-Nike): The Phoenix have a solid color scheme. Pontiac has purple uniforms with black pants at home. They wore a new black uniform with purple wings on them. The road is white with all white uniforms with the purple helmet. I really like the purple even though Pontiac has two different uniform providers, I’ll live with it. GRADE A.

Avondale (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Yellow Jackets changed their home uniforms last season. I really like their home purple uniforms with the yellow pants. It is very classic. I am not a fan of their road uniforms. The changed the road uniforms by going to Nike. The all black third jerseys look very good as well for the Yellow Jackets. Finally a clean look. GRADE A

Farmington has their new Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Tuesday July 18th at 12:30 PM

Farmington went within with their next girls basketball coach.

The Falcons have named Natalie Nowak their new girls basketball coach according to a very accurate source. Nowak takes over Laura Guzman who left for Troy a few weeks ago.

Nowak is a teacher at Farmington. She was an assistant under Guzman and coached the Junior Varsity program. Nowak was an assistant at Adams and also was an assistant at Schoolcraft College for three years.

Farmington has EdiMari King, Anna Tornachuk, and Jayla Silver coming back for Nowak.

The Falcons will be in the Blue with Troy whom is coached by Guzman, along with Troy Athens, Southfield Arts and Tech, Adams, and Berkley. They are also in a brutal district which has North Farmington, West Bloomfield, Birmingham Marian, and Farmington Hills Mercy at Farmington Hills Mercy.

Thoughts

I like the hire of Nowak. She is in the building and brings a ton of basketball experience. The coaching transition should be a smooth one with Nowak being an assistant under Guzman. Program strength is a concern for Nowak but in time she can get the numbers back up at Farmington.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Some of the Well Known OAA Rivalries.

Written Friday July 14th at 2:00 AM

Updated Friday July 14th at 9:00 AM

Here are some of the well know rivalries and some of the famous clashes around the OAA when it came to the rivalries. I don't have all the rivalries, if you want to add any more just feel free to DM me.

Lake Orion vs Oxford: This rivalry you can write a documentary on that is for sure. The Dragons and the Wildcats are the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s. Whether it’s football, boys basketball, girls basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track, wrestling, you name it. It’s almost close to Michigan vs Michigan State when describing this rivalry. There are legendary names on both sides and there is a trophy in football. This has been a rivalry since the 1950’s. Expect more to write their names on this rivalry in the future.

Clarkston vs West Bloomfield: When you think of Clarkston, you think of Lake Orion being the rival. That has certainly have not been the case as of late. West Bloomfield has clearly became Clarkston’s arch rival whether it is football, basketball, you name it. These two have been arch rivals with their first ever meeting being in 1953 and have been part of the Oakland Wayne Conference. The Wolves and Lakers have had battles in football and in basketball. Expect this rivalry to intensify in the next few years.

Berkley vs Royal Oak: When Royal Oak Kimball and Royal Oak Dondero merged in 2006 and became Royal Oak. Most people would think that Royal Oak High School would overcome their rivals to the west but it hasn’t been the case in most sports. The Bears are 6-3 all time against the Ravens including winning the last three meetings in football. Berkley has either played even or dominated against Royal Oak with the exception being Girls Basketball. The Ravens beat the Bears 20-9 in the softball district finals which was a monster win for the program. Could Royal Oak’s softball district crown over Berkley be a rivalry game changer??? Who knows but it’s a start. The Ravens need to start winning over their arch rivals on a consistent basis if they want to turn the rivalry in their favor.

Troy vs Troy Athens: These two neighborhood rivals have been at it since 1976 with the city of Troy in red and gold or black and gray. Troy used to be a football powerhouse but have struggled on hard times. This rivalry has had some intense battles especially in soccer and also basketball. Soccer is where both rivals are very competitive and it’s intense. The fan bases are also intense as well. Troy has dominated Troy Athens in girls basketball and volleyball. They have also found some success in football and boys basketball. This rivalry will be going on for a long time that is for sure in the future.

Groves vs Seaholm: The Battle of Birmingham has been very strong between the green and gold and the maple and white. These two city rivals first met in 1961 and have played 67 times with Seaholm winning 42 of those games. Groves has won 12 of the last 14 meetings in this rivalry in football. Football is not the only sport where these two neighborhood rivals compete at. Both schools are very good in tennis, soccer, and in swimming and diving. Boys Basketball has had some great battles including a shocking upset where Seaholm upset Groves in the pre-district. These rivals will be in the conversation for a long time in all sports.

West Bloomfield vs Bloomfield Hills: The Battle of Bloomfield has been more evident in boys basketball. These two have split their contests and played in the postseason where West Bloomfield won on the road in the pre-district over Bloomfield Hills. It is possible that these two schools could meet again in the postseason next season. The Blackhawks lost a lot of proven talent from this offseason. The Lakers have a ton of proven experience coming back. In other sports, these two teams are not in the same division except for boys soccer but really this rivalry have been really been intense in boys basketball.

North Farmington vs Farmington: North Farmington and Farmington have always been the battle to decide Farmington even when they first met in 1963 but when Harrison became a school, the Hawks dominated the city of Farmington especially in football. North Farmington has always been a basketball power and it has shown. When Harrison closed in 2018, Farmington benefited from Harrison closing but the Hawks coaching staff went to North Farmington. 2019 was a classic when both teams went in unbeaten but the Raiders beat the Falcons 13-9 winning the Blue crown. The Falcons had dominated the rivalry under then coach Jon Bectel and also Kory Cicroch but when Coach Jon Herstein came to North Farmington, the rivalry has changed in a big way until overtime game where Farmington beat the Raiders which was huge for Coach Jason Albrecht who played under Bectel in 2022. Basketball has been dominated by the Raiders as has most of the spring sports as well. Farmington has a ton to prove especially against their arch rivals to the north in football and in basketball.

Berkley vs Ferndale: This has been a neighborhood rivalry that has been played since 1950 in football. Berkley and Ferndale are no strangers to each other when it comes to sports. Football and boys basketball have been the greatest areas of this rivalry. In 2018, no one would ever forget a 23-1 Bears lead on Steve Rhodes Appreciation Night only for the Eagles to comeback and stun the Bears. Ferndale has changed their program under then Coach Juan Rickman which included a Division Two State Crown. Berkley has been a very strong program under Coach Joe Sermo. These two schools have been solid in football as well. Other sports they clash in softball where both teams have had tight games in the past. The rivalry hasn’t been the same as in recent years but it’s still there.

Lake Orion vs Clarkston: The Dragons and the Wolves have been a rivalry but it hasn’t shown in football or boys basketball where Clarkston has dominated Lake Orion in recent years. Girls Basketball and volleyball this rivalry has been very competitive especially in girls basketball. Both teams are in the Red and have split games in the last two years. These two rivals first met in 1951. Lake Orion has to fix the boys sports especially football and boys basketball against Clarkston if this rivalry wants to come back to its spark of the past.

Oak Park vs Southfield Arts and Tech: Oak Park and Southfield are no strangers to one another with both schools close to one another. The Knights have played the Warriors/Blue Jays/and Chargers really tight. Southfield has been a girls basketball power in the past while Oak Park has really struggled. Oak Park has become the boys basketball power and has become a track and field power as well. Football is the biggest sport where this rivalry has really excelled. There has been star studded coaches from Greg Carter at Oak Park and Tim Conley and Aaron Marshall at Southfield. These two teams won’t meet each other in football this season but that rivalry is still there.

West Bloomfield vs Southfield Arts and Tech: The Lakers and Warriors have become an interesting rivalry when it comes to football. It hasn’t been a much a rivalry in other sports as of late with West Bloomfield having Southfield Arts and Tech’s number. West Bloomfield has won five of the last six meetings over Southfield Arts and Tech including a 42-21 stunner in Southfield last season. The Lakers are 5-3 all time against the Warriors in football.

Clarkston vs North Farmington: The great wars of boys basketball with coaching icons like Dan Fife and Tom Negoshian where the Raiders have famously had problems on big courts but most times have been successful against the Wolves at home. North Farmington has won the last two meetings in Clarkston over the Wolves. The philosophies of Fife and Negoshian are still there with Tim Waslik, a Fife and Todd Negoshian, Todd’s son coaching the present day basketball programs.

Clarkston vs Pontiac: The Wolves and the city of Pontiac was the rivalry from in the 1990’s and 2000’s when Pontiac was Pontiac Northern and Pontiac Central. When the schools merged it was a great rivalry but the Phoenix had fallen on hard times while Clarkston has been very consistent. Pontiac named Andrew Myers, a Clarkston graduate as their new head coach to turn around the program. The last time Pontiac beat Clarkston was when then coach Joel Schroeder coached the Phoenix in 2019 outside of that the Wolves have been dominant against the Phoenix.

Rochester vs Adams: The Falcons vs Highlanders is a very interesting city rivalry with Walton Blvd separating the two schools. Adams has owned Rochester in football. The Highlanders have won 26 straight meetings (last loss was 1996) over their rivals from Livernois. Rochester and Adams have been very good in soccer with both schools having to see each other in districts. Adams has really improved in volleyball and Rochester has been on the rise as of late. The Highlanders and Falcons have had some wars in the past in boys basketball especially the coaching matchups between John Hall and John Pleasant and the many players that have played in that rivalry ranging from Paris Perria (Rochester 2008-2012 and is the current Adams Junior Varsity Coach) who has been on both sides of this rivalry. Girls basketball has had some moments in this rivalry as well and the coaching wars between Shay Lewis/Fran Schiowisz vs Jeff Haney/Bill Thurston have been great in the past as well. It's a rivalry that has grown and will continue to grow in time.

Adams vs Stoney Creek: The Highlanders and Cougars have had some wars particularly in soccer and cheerleading. Stoney Creek has beaten Adams twice in football since 2013. They have had some wars in basketball as well particularly the coaching matchups between John Hall/Jaret Thomas against Steve Norgrove in boys to Shay Lewis vs Kellen James in girls. Cheerleading has been very interesting between the two schools and also fellow city rival Rochester when it comes to the Division One State crown having visited all three schools. Stoney Creek has had Adams number in volleyball but it seems to be turning a little bit and it's a good coaching rivalry between Terry Baughman and Ross Talbot. In soccer they have to go through each other every year to have a deep postseason run. It's a rivalry that can keep growing in time.

Rochester vs Stoney Creek: The Falcons and the Cougars have developed into a really good rivalry especially in football, basketball, cheerleading, and soccer. Current Stoney Creek football coach Nick Merlo has connections to both sides of this rivalry. He coaches the Cougars but he was a Rochester grad, assistant coach, and his father is legendary coach Mark Merlo who coached at Rochester. Rochester beat Stoney Creek 21-20 in the first round of the postseason in 2022 which was the Falcons first postseason win in school history after winning on an extra point. Rochester has been the dominant power in cheerleading but Stoney Creek has a fair share of State crowns of their own. Girls basketball has been very competitive especially the coaching rivalries of the past between Jeff Haney and Brad Crighton to Bill Thurston vs Kellen James and big name players have came through both sides of this rivalry. Soccer has been very insturmental on both sides, the Falcons were the top team in the State in girls soccer but fell to Stoney Creek whom was ranked third in the State. The Cougars won the Division One State crown this season. Their paths go through each other usually in the postseason.

Lake Orion vs Adams: The Dragons and Highlanders have had their fair share of battles especially in football. Lake Orion is 21-16 all time against Adams but the Highlanders won the last two meetings last season.Lake Orion has had some monster wins in this rivalry as well 2019 36-31, 2018 28-24, and 2008 31-28 were all Dragons wins with two of them being at Adams. This rivalry is not just in football but also in basketball, baseball, softball, and track and field. Adams beat Lake Orion in track and field in the regular season but the Dragons got them in some invitationals and it's been a great rivalry between Eric Lohr and Stan Ford/Andrew McDonald. The Highlanders won two of three against the Dragons in baseball but Lake Orion had a deeper postseason run than Adams. In Girls Basketball the coaching rivalries were classic between Bob Brydges and Shay Lewis along with Steve Roberts against Shay Lewis. The Highlanders had the Dragons number in the postseason but that all changed in 2022 when Lake Orion beat Adams in the district first round. The Highlanders upset the Dragons in the regional semifinal in 2022 with a 1-0 win in that game. They have had battles in boys basketball, boys lacrosse, and boys golf. This rivalry has excelled over the years and will continue to be one in all sports for a while.

Adams vs Clarkston: The Highlanders and Wolves are no strangers to each other especially in football. Clarkston is 22-15 all time against Adams and the Wolves won three of the last four meetings including twice in 2022. The Desman Stephens touchdown with one second in the regional final was nuts. The 36-33 stunner sent the Wolves to the Division One State Semifinals and ended the Highlanders season to which Adams had one of their best sports classes in school history (Class of 2023.) Adams did get Clarkston back in boys basketball by beating them three times including in the regional final at Fenton. The Highlanders and Wolves have gone back and fourth in the past. It will be very interesting to see how this rivalry evolves into the future.

Lake Orion vs Rochester: The Dragons and Falcons are no strangers to one another when it comes to sports. Some will look back to when Rochester beat Lake Orion twice in the regular season on route to a 19-1 season but the Dragons stunned the Falcons 48-44 in the boys basketball district finals in 2012. Lake Orion went on to the State Quarterfinal that season. The rivalry has really blossomed in Girls Basketball. Lake Orion and Rochester have went back and fourth when it comes to wins and losses. They have built their programs from the Blue and are now back in the Red. The coaching matchups between Steve Roberts and Jeff Haney and Bob Brydges against Bill Thurston have featured classics from Little Caesars Arena to the game at Rochester where Lake Orion was without four rotational players and won that game. The Dragons won the district crown in 2021 over the Falcons 40-34. Lake Orion has had the upper hand in most sports against Rochester with the exception of cheerleading and soccer but girls basketball the rivalry has really blossomed.